Quick context – I had a low speed crash a few days ago while riding on road after a rain. Rear tire slipped and both my STIs got pretty scratched. No visible scratches on the frame and none on my handlebar and saddle either.
Today, when I was inspecting my bike for hidden damages (I took apart my stem and checked on my steerer tube and it seemed okay), I removed my front wheel to clean my calipers and to reattach the TA. Using my torque wrench set to 9nm (my carbon fork says it is 12nm max), I tightened the TA and did the "double click" to confirm at the end of the process. After the 2nd click from my wrench, there was a loud pop and the axle spun freely.
I was still able to remove the axle in one piece. Inspected the fork dropouts for any crack or delamination and found nothing. I removed the aluminum insert on one end of the fork dropout and tested if the axle was just stripped; it went in smoothly, but at one point it snapped just like in the picture.
I haven't ridden my bike post-crash (aside from riding it back home from the crash ofc), I just serviced it now to check for hidden damages. Was this because of my crash or compounded stress at the dropouts? What should I look for when buying a new axle?
by MasterBaetiong
1 Comment
Check your torque wrench in the process of getting the new TA. Crash was likely the culprit, but check anyway . Bike shop should be able to help.